Teaching and Courses / Home Page / Syllabus
Introduction to World Religions (T122-003)
MWF 9:30-10:20 am -- Bobet
219
Professor Earl Richard (ext 3058) -- Spring
2006
Hours: MWF: 10:30-11:30; 2:30-3:30 & TTh: by appointment
e-mail: richard@loyno.edu
Observations:
A. Syllabus
1. Introduction to "Study of Religion" (see # 4)
1/9 Introduction: Nature of Religion & Its
Academic Study (RW
1-59; SQ 1-26)
1/11 Religion: Anthropological & Historical
Observations (RW
1-59; SQ 11-38)
2. Eastern Religions
Study of Hinduism (Religious
World 61-125)
1/13 Hinduism: Pre-Aryan & Aryan Beginnings
1/16 Vedic & Non-Vedic Influences & the Hindu
Scriptures
1/18 * Film: "330 Million Gods"
1/20 Amalgamation of World-Affirming and World-Negating
Influences
1/23 Basic Tenets & Practices of Classical
Hinduism/Conclusions/Quiz
Study of Buddhism (Religious World 127-97 & 232-49)
1/25 Buddhism: Beginnings --> Life, History, Texts
1/27 Early Buddhist Doctrine --> Focus on Theravada Buddhism
1/30* Film: "Footprint of the Buddha--
2/1 Further Study of Theravada: Doctrine and
Practice
2/3 Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism
2/6 **Film: "Land of the Disappearing Buddha--
2/8 Pure Land, Zen,
Nichiren Doctrine as
Representative of Mahayana/
Conclusions/Quiz
2/10 Exam # 1: Eastern Religions
3. Western Religions
Study of Judaism (Religious World 251-300)
2/13 Judaism: History & Development of "Biblical
Story" & Historical Setting
2/15 Judaism: Its Sacred Literature & Basic
(Biblical & Credal) Doctrines
2/17 *Film: "The
2/20 Practice of Judaism
2/22 Judaism: Models in History, Goals & Added
Considerations/Quiz
Study of Christianity (Religious World 301-59)
2/24 Christianity: Introduction & Beginnings --> Judaism,
Jesus, a
community
3/3 Sacred Literature & Early Practice & Doctrine
3/6 *Film: "Protestant Spirit
3/8 Christian Development (1): from Augustine -->
3/10**Film: "Catholicism:
3/13 Christian Development (2): from Reformation -->
3/15 Basic Tenets & Ritual/Moral Practice/Quiz
Study of Islam (Religious
World 361-412)
3/17 Islam: Beginnings in Arabia & Life of Muhammad
3/20 Early Years, the Quran & Its
Fundamental Beliefs
3/22 *Film: "There Is No God But God"
3/24 The Five Pillars (Quranic
Practices), the Community, Groups in Islam
3/27 Islam's Self-Definition/Quiz
3/29 Exam # 2: Western Religions
4. Study of Religion
3/31 Religion: Nature of Sacred (Sacred Quest )
4/3
Religion: Appearance of Sacred (Sacred Quest -57)
4/5 Religion: Language of Sacred (Sacred Quest 58-75)
4/7 Religion: Ritual (Sacred Quest 76-90)
4/10 Religion: Sacred Communities (Sacred Quest 91-107)
4/12 Religion: Problem of Evil (Sacred
Quest 108-124)
4/17 Morality (Sacred Quest 125-141)
4/19 Religion: Quest for Salvation (Sacred Quest 142-158)
4/21 Religion: Course & Its Goals
B. Goals
to explore with some depth a few major, living
religious traditions--thereby achieving
"a
basic literacy in world religions"
(see Department Goals: I. A-D--for text see
http://loyno.edu/~richard/worldreligions/introduction.html
)
to examine the nature and characteristics of the
phenomenon called "religion"
to foster critical thinking about the understanding of
different religious beliefs
and customs
to understand the role religion plays in the social,
cultural, and personal areas of life
to initiate a critical evaluation of one's own
religious beliefs and commitments
C. Texts
B.C. Bush et al, The Religious World: Communities of Faith, 3rd ed (Bookstore)
L.S. Cunningham et al, The Sacred Quest: An Invitation to the Study of
Religion, 4th ed "
E. Richard, "Observations"
(Course Page)
D. Requirements
and Grading
lectures on world religions: East (Hinduism &
Buddhism) and West (Judaism, Christ-
ianity & Islam)
lectures on the nature of religion: introduction
(ancient & primitive religions; what is
religion?) and conclusion
(the sacred: appearance & language, ritual, commu-
nities, evil, morality,
quest for salvation)
films: seven from BBC series: The Long Search
(viewed in class; available also in media center)
readings for all lectures (indicated on syllabus,
including handouts), supplementary readings,
& CP "Observations"
3 major exams: one on Eastern Religions (2/10), one on Western Religions
(3/29),
a final on topic of "religion"
(4/26); each = 20 % of grade
several "content" quizzes: on each of the
five major religious traditions (material
seen in class, assigned in readings & films);
total of 5 quizzes = 20% of grade
brief paper (5-6 typed pages) on topic to be assigned
later in class (= 20% of grade;
due 4/3 (instructions to follow)
class attendance is required; students not attending
class (i.e., missing more than 8 classes) will
receive a failing grade. Chronic lateness will
be considered in assessing attendance.
Lastly, no
food/drink/disruptive devices in class.